perishable item

If there was a zombie apocalypse the best place to go would be Target.

Lets look at the facts:

Targets have at maximum 3 windows. And those windows are also doors. Otherwise they are giant concrete cinder-blocks of prison like retail.

Target is filled with things to quickly barricade those window-doors. such as entire gazebos, lawn furniture, exercise equipment, etc.

From that point forward all you have to do is worry about the zombies that are inside.

Target has an intercom system, which if accessed by the correct people can be used to quickly spread information and mobilize people to get things done.

Target has a large section of both perishable and non perishable food items.

Target also has a vast entertainment section. (how many societies have collapsed due to conflict spurred by stress and boredom. HOW MANY)

Target’s roof can be easily accessed for surveillance, gathering of rainwater (with the many buckets and mini pools target has. and all water can be boiled in the Starbucks kitchen) and sniping.

Target’s insulation would make the harsh winter months significantly more bearable.

Before the power goes out, Target has sun lights (which is why its not sad inside like in so many other stores… cough Sears cough) so people who have SAD won’t get depressed. Also, Target is large and designed to feel homey so people wont go stir crazy as fast like they do in jails.

When the power goes out, Target has large industrial generators that can be turned on in emergencies like for cooking.

Speaking of cooking, Target has several kitchens inside of it. And once the power goes, guess what Target also sells? Grills.

Target also has a pharmacy. And medical supplies. So, people inside who need meds to function have a hell of a lot longer time to live unencumbered by their illness than they normally would.

Some targets have tools–including power tools.

Target also has a tiny jail. For miscreants and rabble rousers.

Bedding. Real Bedding

Reliable indoor plumbing.

I think you could reasonably live for at least two years inside a Target before completely running out of anything vital– provided food is well rationed. And even so, the only thing you’d be sending out scouts for is food. Everything else would last for ages.

Provided that the population not exceed 200, Target would run out of these things in this order:

perishable food.

electricity

Potable water (that doesn’t require work)

Non perishable pre-made food items

Non perishable food ingredients (flour, mixes, etc)

How to survive in a Target: Action plan.

Undoubtedly, everyone will be rushing and screaming in the Target. First someone has to break into the manager’s office and commandeer the intercom to create some organization by shouting: If you do not want to stay and survive in the Target, leave now.

After that’s cleared up and only interested parties and zombies are left. the barricading can begin. Once the doors and windows are sealed, the new goal is to clear the undead from the usable space.The undead can be deposited neatly outside of the truck loading dock doors.

Then, someone needs to do inventory. For the next week or so, food needs to be arranged by date consumed and a rationing chart should be made. Same applies to medicine and medical supplies and toiletries.

After food and water has been qualified and quantified, remaining time should be dedicated to turning target into a large “home”, Bedding should be laid out in one area, there should be an entertainment area. There should be a separate area for children and babies. All of the clothing should be pushed to the side or placed in the storage area, so there is more livable space.

We
used to have a very nice, very competent mailman who would always say
hello, and knew everyone in our 150-building apartment complex by name.
He had a bad back, so I made an effort to not order anything very heavy
so that he could carry it up the short flight of stairs to our
apartment. Most of our neighbors did the same.

He unfortunately was either reassigned or retired, and we were
assigned a mail lady who either can’t read the addresses - or won’t. She
routinely mis-delivers packages; it’s happened a dozen times in the
past two months to us, and our neighbors report similar mishaps. Despite
speaking to her, bringing it to the attention of her supervisor, and
filing an official complaint with the district manager, nothing has come
of it. She just keeps delivering the wrong packages to us and our
packages to others. Most of the time I don’t mind, but sometimes it can
take us a day or two to find relatively perishable items and then they
need to be replaced. And yes, she’s misplaced the replacement package
too.

I used to be nice about not ordering large or heavy items. No longer.

I just made her deliver a 40lb box of litter. She is pissed.

I think maybe I’ll order another tomorrow for Monday delivery.

Edit: Wow, lots of people with terrible mail carrier stories. Before
you resort to pettiness, please remember they’re human too, and try to
speak to them to show them the error of their ways. Try to reach out to
their supers too if you happen to be at the post office. And if all else
fails, well, remember lead is the densest material you can buy and if
it fits, it ships :)

Loved your cranscott story...if you have time could you do one of Scott taking care of a sick Billy

“YOU HAVE HOMEWORK DUE TODAY THAT YOU HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED,” I tell myself as I ignore all responsibilities and write this instead.

(I went a little off track but here you go, anon~~)

Billy didn’t show up at school that day. He didn’t text or message anything and frankly, when Jason showed up outside his house, he was a little worried that Mrs. Cranston would look him up and down and say her son had left that morning and she hadn’t seen him since.

The others were on standby. Kimberly had a tutoring session, Trini had to pick up her brothers and Zack wanted to check in on his mom before they all went down to mine for a quick training session.

“He’s probably just stuck on something,” Trini had said quietly when Jason had pulled her to the side at lunch. “You know how he gets.”

Jason did and that’s what worried him. Billy didn’t always focus on the safety side of things and Jason didn’t want to head home to find the news playing some story about poor Billy Cranston found dead somewhere.

Jason jiggled his leg agitated as he heard Mrs. Cranston come to the door. They’d been clear. Ever since Billy vanished off on his own to find yet another overtly powerful object and almost got himself killed, if anything related to a mission, he was supposed to tell them and he wasn’t supposed to go off anywhere without informing someone, even if it was just his mom or Alpha 5.

Mrs. Cranston opened the door and she smiled widely as always when she cocked her head back and yelled, “Billy! Jason Scott is here to see you!” She gestured inwards with her head. “Come in, come in.”

Thankful, Jason smiled as he stepped inside. “Uh, I didn’t see Billy at school today. Is everything okay?”

Mrs. Cranston sighed as she walked down the thin hallway to the basement door. “Oh, he just has a little cold is all, dear.”

Jason relaxed heavily. “Oh! But he’s fine, right?” he pressed and Mrs. Cranston gave him a knowing smile.

“Of course, Jason.” She pulled open Billy’s door. “He’s just sleeping it off.” Her voice turned a little sour as she glanced down the stairs to the basement. “He better be.”

“Ah, no thank you, Mrs. Cranston. I’m good.” Jason nodded jerkily as he shifted down the staircase and hopped to the landing of the basement. Above him the door eased shut with a sounding click.

Billy was sprawled out in his bed, bundled up tight underneath all his blankets. He moved his head to the sound of noise and frowned. “Jason?”

His voice had the rough flare of a cough in it and Jason immediately chucked off his bags and moved to him, crouching beside his low bed. “Hey, you okay? Your mom said you were sick.”

“It’s just-” Billy groaned and shook his head. “-a cold.” He scowled bitterly. “I don’t like being sick, Jason. It makes me full in my head. Not in my stomach and I don’t like it.” His voice bled out into a whine. “I can’t think!”

Jason snorted. “Yeah, I know, Billy.” His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Trini’s name blinked in the group chat. You at his place yet?

Jason huffed as he texted out, Yeah, he’s just sick.

The typing bubble popped up in the corner and then Zack, and Jason could hear his crazy-man laughter, said, Take care of your man, Jason!! Kiss him to health!! BE HIS PRINCE!!!!

The tongue emoji followed in three sets of five.

Jason resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose as he typed out, Shut up, Zack.

How is he? Kimberly asked.

Jason glanced up at Billy who was watching him patiently. “Kim’s asking how you are.”

Billy made a vague noise and stuck out a hand from under the swaddle of blankets that conformed around him. “Sick,” he said plainly. “Stuffy, full up in my head and in my nose and my throat and it’s so disgusting, Jason.” He grasped for something. Without thinking, Jason gripped his hand. It was clammy but not cold. Billy didn’t push him away. “Can you make me better, Jason?”

Jason laughed. “I’m not sure how. These things just have to run their course.”

“But what if we need-” And here Billy dropped his voice to hoarsest whisper possible. “-to fight someone and we can’t form Megazord because I’m not there to be the leg! I can’t be sick when people are dying, Jason! That’s not fair! I need to be the leg! I am the leg!”

“Billy, Billy, breathe, okay?” He glanced down at his phone. He’s not for being sick but he’s the same. Jason set his phone to the side and swept his free hand over Billy’s face. His forehead was a little warmer than it should’ve been. “You have to focus on getting better, okay? You’re not just the leg.” He smiled. “You’re our friend and we want you to get better first.”

Billy stared at him unblinkingly for a few seconds. “But I don’t want to be your friend.”

Jason frowned. “What?”

Dropping Jason’s hand, Billy pushed up weakly, still somehow buddled up like a burrito in his blankets. “And I am the leg. And we need all five of us to form and to fight and what if I don’t get better?” Billy buried his face in his blankets. “Aghh.”

“Billy, I-” Jason closed his eyes. “What do you mean you don’t want to be my friend?”

“I told you already!” Billy said and he was falling forward, arms spinning out of his blankets as he reached for Jason’s phone. Jason surged up because, well, frankly there were a few little messages he’d written about Billy that he’d rather the other boy not read. Billy hustled around and Jason banged into his back.

“Billy, give me back my phone.”

“Shh, I’m trying to find it,” Billy mumbled. “Cause I sent it this morning and I told you all I was sick and I asked Trini if she could get me my chemistry notes- Did she? She didn’t respond back but I’ve been sleeping all day and I can’t find my phone but I know I sent it to her and all the other stuff to you guys and I told you too so I don’t know why it’s not-”

Jason snatched his phone from Billy’s grip and breathed. “Billy, you didn’t send us anything this morning. I meand, if I’d known you were sick, I would’ve brought soup or something!”

Billy twisted his head back and stared at him. “Then how did you know I was sick?”

Billy was up and moving, wobbly on his legs but still moving. “I put it over here last night…”

“Billy!” Jason shouted, grabbing him by the shoulders. “What are you doing? You need to rest!”

Billy ducked out from under his grip and almost fell over. “I think I sent it to Zack. He told you to kiss me so he must know because obviously kissing someone isn’t going to heal them and I know I sent it to someone and you guys are the only people in my contacts. Well, I mean, my mom is there and my dad’s old number too but- WOAH!” Billy’s arms slung around Jason’s neck. “Jason, put me down!”

“I will,” Jason hissed, walking back over to Billy’s bed and dumping him unceremoniously back onto the bed. He grabbed Billy’s fallen blankets and tucked them back over him nice and tight, turning into a thick cocoon of a blanket burrito. “You need to sleep and rest and we can talk about whatever it is you think you sent me later, Billy. Now I’m going to get you some soup and you’re gonna stay there and not move!”

“I like chicken noodle!” Billy called out as Jason bounded up the stairs two steps at a time. “And broth! But not beef! IT’S TOO SALTY!”

Mrs. Cranston glanced over at Jason from her office. “Oh, Jason, you’re leaving?”

“I’m-” Jason pointed at the door. “Getting Billy some soup.”

She pointed over to the kitchen. “We have soup,” she said kindly.

“Right.” Jason turned back on his heels and bounded into the kitchen. He wasn’t familiar with the Cranston home. For the most part, they spent their time inside Billy’s room and not much else. But he’d been in the kitchen enough to know where the pots were. It took him a little while to figure out where the non-perishable items were stored and after a few minutes he had soup bubbling on the stovetop.

Chicken noodle soup, some crackers and a warm bottle of ginger ale he found with Billy’s name taped to it.

When he turned to find a bowl, Mrs. Cranston was in the open doorway watching him.

“Uh, bowl?”

She pointed to one of the cabinets and he moved over, grabbing a blue one and a red tray he found tucked beside them.

“Jason?” Mrs. Cranston started as he began pouring the soup into the bowl. “Do you care for my son?”

“Of course, Mrs. Cranston.” He glanced back at her. “He’s my friend.”

She smiled her knowing little smile at him again. “Okay.” She smoothed out her dress and took a step back. “Remind him to take his medicine after he eats.”

“I will,” he promised. He would. Even if he had to trick Billy into taking whatever it was or force it down his throat, Billy would take his cold medicine, Billy would get better and Jason would be able to stop worrying that he was going to wake up and find Billy dead.

Not that anyone ever died of the common cold but for all Jason knew it was pneumonia or something worse and he really, really didn’t want it to be something worse.

Piling up the crackers, soup and ginger ale onto the tray, he bounded back down to where Billy was still stuck on his bed.

“Did you make chicken noodle? Or did you make broth?” Billy asked, eyeing the tray reproachfully.

“Chicken noodle,” Jason said, settling the tray down beside the bed.

Billy grinned and underneath the swaddle of blankets, Jason could hear the tell-tale rhythmic claps he gave. Three beats. Happy-happy. “And that’s why I like you, Jason.”

Jason grinned while Billy dunked a cracker into his soup.
“Hey, I like you too, man.”

Billy gave another rapid beat of claps. Warm drips of soup splashed onto Jason’s arm. “That’s great!” He chewed on his soaked cracker and swallowed before asking, “So we kiss now right?”

Jason paused. “What?”

“We’re supposed to kiss, right?” Billy swirled his spoon in his soup counterclockwise a few times before rotating it the other way with intense focus that made Jason wonder if he even knew what he was saying. “Because we like each other and that’s what people who like each other do.”

Jason drew back a little. “Um… if you- if you like someone in a romantic way?” He stared at Billy. “Wait, Billy, did you mean that you like like me?”

Billy stared at him. “I have no idea what you mean by that but I know I like you.”

“No, like, dates and stuff.”

Billy nodded and blew at the soup on his spoon. “Yeah, that’s what I mean.” He eyed Jason. “What did you mean?”

“Um…” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “I- I don’t.” He paused. “I think I like like you too actually, Billy.”

“Okay,” Billy said. He drank some of his soup directly from the bowl and shook his head, fingers flexing after he put it back down on the tray. “We can kiss later. After I get better.”

“Okay,” Jason mimicked a little faintly because suddenly everything was making so much more sense. “Yeah, definitely, Billy.”

Do you have any Costco tips or recommendations for a fellow single person who lives alone? I'm about to get one in my area and I'm excited, but not sure I can really make use of it.

Sure!

First of all, the stuff you get the most value out of at Costco is always the stuff that doesn’t go bad and that you KNOW you’ll use up. The kind of stuff where you can store the extra in the basement or the garage. A short but by no means complete list:

Crackers (they have yummy gluten-free crackers there - I am not GF I just like them)

Individual packets of Crystal Light drink powders (I use these a lot to help power through a lot of water)

Spices/salt/pepper/etc

If you eat a lot of any particular grain (rice, quinoa, whatevs) and have room to store them it’s a good buy there.

I tend to stay away from their huge variety of individually packaged snack foods except I do like their trail mix and buy that from time to time. (Incidentally the Costco store brand, Kirkland, is pretty awesome).

Frozen items are good too but you have to consider your available freezer space. I buy the chicken breasts and the quinoa mixture. They have a wide variety of other proteins available, and frozen fruit/veg, it’s just a question of what you personally like to eat.

When it comes to perishables, the things I buy reliably are:

Babybels

Laughing Cow cheese (both of these items don’t go bad quickly and i eat them a lot)

I also buy a carton of half and half usually. Their brand, Horizon Organic, seems to last a long time so even though it’s just me and I only drink one cup of coffee a day, it doesn’t go bad before I use it up (a full half gallon). I will sometimes buy a prepared food when I’m there just to have that day - their quinoa deli salad is great, rotissserie chicken, croissants. Most Costco stores have great bakeries that make all their baked goods (muffins, cookies, breads, etc) daily.

Incidentally one of the things I buy the most of, cream cheese, I do not recommend the Costco brand. It just tastes funny to me. I buy that at Kroger (where it’s almost always on sale so no great loss).

I generally don’t go much for the baked goods or the fruit unless I’m buying for a gathering of people. I do like buying their veggie trays and fruit bowls. They’re very reasonably priced and good quality.

Costco also has good prices on wine and beer, stuff like socks and underwear, household goods, small appliances, cookwear, even clothes.

Be prepared - you will have a much larger initial cost than you’re used to. Your price per unit is lower, so your savings are long-term, but because you’re buying the bulk units the actual price will be higher. Just brace yourself. And keep your storage capabilities in mind. I don’t buy stuff like bottled water or bottles drinks bc I don’t drink them but also I have no place to put them. Keep in mind that most Costco locations also have a gas station where you can get cheaper gas (although it’s not usually any cheaper than my Kroger plus-card price, so).

Costco often gets different stuff from time to time, so your favorite items may be there one visit and not the next (I’m still mourning that Greek quinoa mixture with the goat cheese - maybe someday it’ll return).

These are all books I’ve read that I think everyone should read. Each title has a link to where you can buy the book if you wish. cool. last updated ¼/15

(* = must read)

* Eleanor & Park : I read this book in the winter of my sophomore year and It changed my life. It is not cliche in the slightest form. Eleanor and Park as individuals in this book and the way they interact together is just heart warming. It takes place in a time period I think is interesting to read about. The book is an emotional roller coaster form beginning to end and I loved every bit of it. It is my favorite books to date and Rainbow Rowell has a truly beautiful and distinct writing style. There is no way to adequately summarize the story because there is so much going on that is so captivating, you have to read it for yourself to know what I mean. I read this book in 11 hours, it was that good.

* Fahrenheit 451: This book takes place in the future where books are banned and censorship is prominent. Being a book-burner is an occupation, an occupation that the protagonist has. But when he begins to look at the books he’s suppose to be burning, things change. I read this book freshman year, so I don’t remember it all so well, but I remember loving it and thinking that it was extremely though provoking. This is an absolute must read.

* Ed Sheeran, A Visual Journey: For music lovers, you have to read this. After reading this book I was extremely inspired (I actually wrote a whole blog post on it under my thoughts tab). Ed Sheeran is a genius and he is genuine and to see his rise to fame right in front of you eyes is inspiring. You have to read it. You really have to.

Found out from a co-worker that work been lying about donations. Its so messed up in every way! I want my $10 back. And you know what I'm going to buy the non-perishable food items and send it to one of the REAL charities. Suck it asshats!

Like this isn’t really a fuck anyone in particular. I mean customers were being kind of annoying but aside from that it’s not really fuck anyone. All perishable items have to be refrigerated, even when they’re on shelves.

Today our refrigeration system for the shelves stopped working for about two and a half hours. During that time one of my supervisors, a deli person, and I had to yank everything off the shelves and move it into the two coolers that were actually working.

The produce cooler also decided to break down. It is our largest cooler.

Imagine Dex as one of those extreme coupon people who like save every thing possible because you never know when you're gonna need 12c tuna. Maybe Nurse is visiting in Maine and joins Dex on the grocery run and is mortified but slightly turned on

it’s 1:25 am and i’m sorry that this is the worst thing i’ve ever written this coupon au deserves better tbh

Nursey hissed as Dex turned on the light. “What the fuck, man? What time is it?” He grabbed the pillow next to him and pulled it over his eyes, but it wasn’t long before he felt Dex pulling at his ankles.

“It’s five-thirty. We gotta get up. Gotta go shopping now before people get in there and take the deals.”

Nursey lifted one side of the pillow from over his eyes. “The literal actual fuck, babe? What?”

Dex tore the pillow from Nursey’s hands, despite the poet’s protestations. “We’re moved in now, right? Well, there’s nothing in the fridge. We gotta go shopping. I have coupons.”

Derek finally sat up, yawning and stretching. “Babe…come back to bed,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “Shopping can wait until the goddamn sunrise.”

Dex frowned at him and yanked the covers off the bed, sending a surprised Nursey tumbling with them. “Get up, Nurse. We have work to do.”

Nurse staggered to his feet. “What’s the big deal about shopping, anyway? It’s just buying food.”

Dex, who was already walking out of the bedroom, turned around and smirked. “Not with me, it’s not.”

***

At the store’s entrance, Dex took his right hand off the shopping cart and placed it in Nursey’s left. “Derek,” he said meaningfully, “I am going to give you a list. You need to get everything on that list, brand specific, in those exact numbers. Follow it to the letter, no matter how strange it seems.”

Nursey raised an eyebrow. “Okay…”

Out of his left pocket Dex fished a folded-up piece of paper and handed it to Nursey. Nursey’s eyes widened as he unfolded it and scanned down the items. “Dexy…why on earth do we need…30 cans of chicken noodle soup, 10 bottles of mustard, and 28 boxes of toothpaste? I mean, there’s only two of us.”

“I told you, Derek. I have coupons.” Dex shoved the cart forward into the store and swerved immediately to the left. “To the letter, hon! Grab another cart and go!”

By the end of the trip, Nursey’s cart was piled ridiculously high with every household good and non-perishable food item imaginable. He had at least 500 dollars’ worth of stuff in his cart, and as he steered his cart around to the cash register, he saw that Dex had a cart just as full. “Babe,” Nursey whispered tensely. “How exactly are we paying for all this shit?”

Dex grinned. “How many times do I have to tell you, Derek? I have coupons.”

And coupons he did have. Out of the many pockets of his cargo pants Dex pulled massive stacks of coupons, clipped immaculately and held together with binder clips.

“Where did you even get those?” asked Nursey, eyes wide.

Dex shrugged. “I always check for them in the papers and stuff. And Johnson keeps mailing me them, for some reason.”

Their poor cashier did not seem to be thrilled with her first customers of the day being two large men with an even larger order. As she scanned yet another can of soup, Nursey caught her eye and mouthed an apology. As she rhythmically passed the red light of her scanner over each product, Nursey watched the total build. By the end, they had bought over $1100 worth of items.

“I have…some coupons,” said Dex, gingerly sliding the half-dozen inch-thick stacks over to the cashier. She sighed and began scanning them, one by one. Nursey had never felt so much tension in a grocery store checkout. He watched as their total slowly ticked down, under a thousand dollars, under eight hundred, under five hundred, under three hundred…by the time she got to the final stack, they had been there for almost an hour.

Nursey noticed Dex’s eyes gleaming with a hungry anticipation, his lower lip caught between his teeth. Dex slipped an arm around Nursey’s waist as the total shrank even more as the final stack of coupons thinned.

“Your total is…27.34,” read the cashier in a weary voice. “You saved 98% on this order.”

Dex grinned. “Yes,” he muttered, seemingly to himself more than anyone, squeezing Nursey’s waist tightly.

“Goddamn, Poindexter,” said Nursey, surprised. “Didn’t know you could pull that shit off.”

Dex’s smile was cocky. “Don’t underestimate me, Nurse. Now grab a cart. We have some very strategic loading to do.”

As they walked out of the store, each pushing a cart, Nursey felt Dex’s hip bump playfully into his. “You did good today, Nurse. Maybe I’ll find a way to thank you later.”

im too nervous to come off anon, but im really intrigue and interested in this coupon thing? like, where i live we don't really do it?? and i see quite alot of people on my dash doing it..what's like the big deal with it? like...I don't understand?? (I'm not being rude omfg, im just being curious, like im really interested in it)

YESSSS! it’s a lot of fun to be honest!

i’m assuming you live in the U.S. right? because i think we might be the only country that does coupons.

just beware that each computer needs a coupon software download. i normally have no issues with google chrome. you can only print 2 coupons per computer. so i have access to two computers at home which means i can print 4 coupons for each item i want. sometimes they reset after 30 days, sometimes longer. or sometimes not at all. these internet printouts generally expire after 30 days from the date you printed them.

sunday newspapers also put out inserts every week. but my suggestion to you it is to make sure you check the newspapers for the inserts. some have them and others don’t. i know dollar tree (if you have one near you) sells papers with inserts for a dollar. BUT YOU GOTTA WAKE UP SUPER EARLY TO GET THERE WHEN IT OPENS. or else a couponer may beat you to them if you have any in your area. so tend to just suck it up and pay the extra money for mine. also if you have couponers in your area, it makes it hard when the shelves a wiped clean. i know in my home town, i’ve seen a lady go early sunday morning with her list and 2 family members near me. so i stick to the stores that are near my job because they tend not to be picked over after the start of the sunday sales.

if you google the sunday date with the words smart source or redplum links in google will show up with coupon blogs that will give you previews so you know what’s coming out each new week in coupons. personally, i usually buy only 2 newspapers a week. sometimes more if there’s a really high value coupon. mine are a $1.50 each, so keep in mind how much you spend on paper and whether it balances out your savings (usually it does and saves you lots more). however, last week there were 5 FREAKING INSERTS WHICH WAS AWESOME. so i bought 5 of them.

the first site i went to was thekrazycouponlady.com THIS SITE IS AWESOME FOR NEWBIES. they break the deal down for you directly and keep in mind that you only use one computer which is soooo nice. i also like looking at iheartriteaid.com and iheartcvs.com because they also help you for breakdowns. livingrichwithcoupons.com is also a very nice site that breaks it down and does more local grocery chains (at least for me like shoprite and acme)

gosh, i could keep going and going about stores like cvs, riteaid, walgreens. they all have different rewards programs. sometimes you can stack coupons like using a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon. target is the best with that stuff because you can use a manufacturer coupon, a target coupon, AND the cartwheel app to get even more savings! (i’ve gotten coffeemate for dirt cheap, free dental floss, tupperware for under a dollar, candy for next to nothing, axe body spray for .50 a bottle, two HUGE packs of toilet paper for $5, the list goes on)

some grocery stores will double your coupons up to .99 cents or .50 cents. HELL, I’VE HEARD A FEW STORES WILL DO A WHOLE DOLLAR. but that’s very rare in the north east of the U.S.

i know this may seem super overwhelming because guess what, IT IS! and it’s very time consuming at first, especially if you’re not organized. i’ve actually moved to a binder because i need to see all my coupons to know what got and what i don’t got.

but once you get the hang of it, it pays off! i’m not making a lot of money working 30 hours a week and i can’t afford to pay my parents rent, so i pay them in things like dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, body wash, razors, coffee creamers, candy, eggs (at walgreens they’re .99 this week), coffee, cereal, laundry detergent, pads, vitamins, cleaning supplies, anything my family needs really. i generally try to stick to non-perishable items. but food i go for long shelf life items like peanut butter, soups, canned veggies or drinks like soda and juice boxes or chips, ya know things like that. i think OOP i probably spend about $80 a month for my family and i get a lot! i have major savings for family that are strapped financially like so many others.

so if you feel brave enough and have the time, i suggest looking into it! you don’t have to go hardcore at first. try it out with a few internet printable coupons or buy just one newspaper. see what deal you can get in a month. it’s hard getting items for free, but even if you have a 30% savings on an item, that’s still awesome! i try to go for 50% but man, if i get it free or even make money on it, I’M IN HEAVEN!

okay but you're whole married by food idea got me thinking so much about rey& food. I can see her having to negotiate a new relationship with food. Like she's so not used to having so much of it & can't stand to see Finn or Poe leaving anything unfinished. To the point where she's stuffing down their leftover stuff too even if it makes her sick& they are finding little stashes of food everywhere in their bunk, but like perishable items because on Jakku it's all freeze dried& she doesn't know

I feel like Rey and Finn would both have weird relationships with food, since I doubt Finn really got anything but MREs, especially since he’d never been deployed. At BEST some soldiers might sneak in treats sometimes, but idk if he’d even have access to those because it’s not like he was popular. He might get extra rations for performing well, but since the First Order seems more the “negative reinforcement” type of organization it’s probably likelier than they’d just cut rations for people who were behind or performed poorly. So Finn wouldn’t have regularly gone hungry, maybe, but he wouldn’t necessarily have been able to eat until he was FULL all that often either.

Really I feel like they might both have trouble handling their own diets for the first few weeks or months–everything Rey’s ever eaten was shitty starvation-rations from a dude who probably wasn’t very concerned about FDA regulations, and everything Finn’s ever eaten came pre-packaged and pre-portioned in bland or outright gross bars or chunks or whatever, ALSO probably without too much concern for FDA regulations. They’re also probably both used to ignoring their stomachs’ cues in favor of just powering through until someone decides they’ve “earned” food and deigns to feed them. So they might both have binging/hoarding problems, really.

Poe Dameron did not intend to end up the Resistance dietitian, but Force dammit, he is gonna LEARN.

In light of the fact that many colleges/universities are starting soon, if not now, here are some strategies/tips for college (from an American student)

Socially:
1. If you live in the dorms, leave your door open for the first week at least while you are there. If you feel comfortable, go with your roommate/friend/by yourself down the halls and greet people with open doors. A simple “hi, I’m [name] and I live on the 1st/2nd/etc floor” works well! I would suggest being prepared to have a quick conversation about your major/study focus, where you are from, and maybe something you are excited to try (ballroom dance club, this new class, etc). Even if you don’t become best friends with the person, it’s still nice to have a friendly face in a difficult class.
2. Be ready to realize that people come from all walks of life. I met a girl once who had never even heard the concept that people could be anything besides heterosexual. She was very nice about it, and interested in learning of the idea. Starting any new acquaintance with this idea of a friendly interchange of ideas and opinions can help to keep your mind open and have you be known as the nice/approachable person.
3. Walk around campus with a smile. Even if you feel bad that you failed a test/anything else, you can feel a little better by smiling, and it makes you again look approachable and friendly.
4. On that note, the reason it want to be approachable and friendly is because you should cultivate acquaintances. If you have a large group of people that you can feel comfortable having a quick shallow conversation with (about weather, homework last night, teacher, latest sports results), you can then feel more comfortable asking them for favors/suggestions. Two years later, that person may be in your P. Chem class and you’ll be happy that you can study together/borrow their notes.
5. Your friends will shift and change. Be ready for friends you met at summer orientation to not be the friends you keep (it’s actually very uncommon for people to stay in those groups). Friends that you had during first term may find other ones during second. Schedules will coincide or they will not, and friendships may wax and wane.
By the same token, let your friends know if you are having a difficult semester and can’t spend as much time with them. For one thing, they may know someone with whom you can study/borrow notes. For another, they will be much more forgiving of your absences if they know you are spending your time stuck in a history textbook.
6. Your personality will change. College brings a host of new ideas, new people, and new ways of thinking to your life. I can’t think of a single person I know who has not had new experiences that changed their perspective. Just remember to stick to be the person you feel that you are, regardless of who that person is.
7. Join a club. Try something new. I was dragged to a ballroom dance club once by my roommate, and then in proceeded to go to every single one. If there isn’t a club, make one.
8. Get to know your RA/RD/person who is in charge of your floor/dorm. They are the ones who can advocate for you and who are trained to deal with homesickness (which happens to more that 70% of college students) and other situations that may arrive. They also often have valuable advice about choosing classes/professors and other knowledge that a first year may not know.
9. Roommates/suitemates. Depending on your college’s policies, you may be able to choose your roommate way before the summer, you may be assigned a roommate and meet them at summer orientation, or you may walk into the room in the fall and meet them for the very first time. If you have a choice in a roommate:
A. Don’t choose your best friend from high school. Many people who are the greatest friends will suffer by living together, just as many roommates work better as casual friends instead of besties.
B. Don’t choose someone in your major. If things somehow go south, you don’t want to be in a class with them two years later.
If you know who the person is before you physically show up to move in, friend them on Facebook, follow their Twitter, and talk to them. A simple email of “hi I’m your roommate I’m from x I am majoring in x my favorite color is x” is a great way to start a good relationship. Make sure that you mention, in that email or in following ones, f you are bringing a microwave/fridge/big chair/rug. Discuss things like your usual schedule, preference for music playing, study habits, and pet peeves. Knowing that my roommate was a foot phobia allowed to me avoid an awkward misstep.
If you don’t know your roommate until you walk in the room, have a similar conversation. Hopefully you can unpack together and discuss the need for a communal rug/whatever.
Lastly, your RA is equipped to deal with a situation if roommates really don’t work out. But don’t go to them unless you feel that you have gone through many other options. Try instead to spend a week with as little time in the room as possible (cabin fever is a thing that happens even in the best of roommates) or see if you can talk it over with the roommate.
Any other roommate questions you can ask me! This is just a quick summary.
10. Be silly. Decorate your door (within regulations). Play frisbee at midnight. Bake cupcakes and hand them out.

Administrative:
1. Be absolutely certain of your financial situation. Have contact numbers for any financial aid/scholarship questions that may come up. Know your budget for textbooks and food.
2. Keep on top of your food plan. Know the intricacies of it, because otherwise you can lose a lot of money or find yourself without food. There are two general forms of food plans:
A. You pay for x amount of meals a week. Usually, you will swipe your ID card as you enter the dining hall, and you can eat anything that is available. Know if you are allowed to bring food out of the dining hall! For this plan, a strategy is to have a few big meals a day. If you can take food out, always always always grab an apple/banana and a granola bar or two in case you get hungry later.
B. You have a set amours of dollars for the term that you can use to buy food at whatever time, but you pay per item. This requires a bit more thought, because you should calculate out a weekly budget and watch the amount you pay so that you don’t run out of money. A strategy for this plan is to eat small meals often. You can feel free to run to a dining hall and grab a granola bar whenever you have time. For the first month or so, try to come in under budget every week, in case you miscalculated. You can then know the minimum it takes to nutritionally feed yourself, and know that the extras can be spent on other foods as a treat.
For either plan, double check the policy on rollovers. If you can rollover the # meals left or amount of money left from one semester to the other, you can adjust your strategies accordingly. Be aware that many colleges will let you rollover each term, but not each year. If you do have a great deal of money leftover, many dining halls will let you buy food in bulk at the end of the year that you can keep until the next year. Alternately, you may be able to nun things like sunscreen, vitamins, water bottles, or other non-perishable items.
Lastly, know the policies for switching meal plans. I had a lot of money that rolled over from my first term, so I lowered my meal plan second semester and was just fine.
Don’t feel guilty about eating food/paying for it. Dining halls are ridiculously expensive. It’s a fact. Do the best you can to use a reasonable amount of money to eat healthy foods. And please eat healthily. I know that having packages of Swedish Fish available right next door is very tempting (believe me, I know) but try to keep track that you eat enough protein and vegetables everyday. And most dining halls have free water, so drink it! Drink water!!!! Having a water bottle with you in class will help you stay awake and focused and many people tend to sit there and drink water without realizing it, which will keep you nicely hydrated.
3. Know emergency numbers. Know your campus’ system for reporting thefts/other safety problems. Many larger colleges have a bus/van system at night that you can use to get a rude if you feel unsafe walking. Also, many have emergency buttons across campus that you can hit and keep walking to another one, so the police are alerted but you don’t have to wait for them.
4. Know campus rules. If you are over 21, can you drink on campus? Be drunk on campus? Can you smoke? Can you be on the fields at night? Is there a curfew?
5. Be acquainted with Student Health services. Often, you can go to them for free for typical doctors appointments or if you have a sickness/injury. You may have to pay for things like STD/STI tests, X-rays, and other extra work. Does student health let you schedule an appointment online? Can you call to ask a medical question? Do they offer a pharmacy?
6. Many colleges also have resources for mental health. Mine has a Counseling and Psychiatric Services building, where you can get counseling for free. They also have a destressing area, and resources for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (common in the rainy northwest).
7. Those services may or may not be tied to a student achievement program, where there are trained professionals that help you create good study habits and have other great resources.
8. Know. Your. Advisor. I can’t stress this enough. If you hate them, still go to them. They have the resources to get you internships or scholarships. They are your administrative advocates. If you accidentally lose a scholarship or need to get into a class late, they can help you. They can advise you on scheduling classes and on teachers they have heard are good/bad. They can also be there to just listen to you, or if you need advise on study tips as well. They can write letters of recommendation and open the door to new opportunities. This is probably the most important relationship you can cultivate in college to help you afterwards.
9. Knew the policies for reporting teachers who are abusing their position. Whether they have unfair homework policies or are racist/sexist/whatever, there is a way to report them to administration. At the same time, don’t be petty and report a teacher because you are unhappy you got a bad grade. Most of the time, reports have more weight if they come from a group of students. Make it polite but truthful, and to the point. Don’t complain in a whiny tone, report in a factual and persuasive tone. Be sure that your allegations are founded, because your name will be attached to it and it can damage your reputation with administration if you falsely report a teacher. Ask your advisor for help.
10. If you have an opportunity to have lunch with the dean, or go to talks, do it. Being involved in the administrative part of the college means that you can cultivate relationships with people that can really help you. A recommendation from your biology professor is great, but a recommendation from the dean of he college of science who just happened to have worked as a biological researcher for twenty years has a little more weight. Yo don’t have to (and shouldn’t) schmooze up to them, but having them know your name can be invaluable.

Academics:
1. GO TO CLASS. You do yourself so much damage by skipping class. Even if you have a friend who will give you their notes. I don’t care how early it is, go to class. By hearing the lecture, seeing the lecture, and writing down notes, your brain has a much better chance of absorbing and retaining the information. You can keep up to date in assignment deadlines, ask your questions, get the crucial in-class points, turn in homework, and make your professor more inclined to like you. Also, you can calculate out the amount of money you spend per class, and then realize that you are wasting that money by not going.
When you are in class, sit near the front, but not the first row. Sit in the middle as well. Know that you tend to unofficially choose your seat within the first week, so get there early to be sure you are where you want to be. Try to get to every class at least two minutes early. Have all your materials ready before class starts, and pay attention. Being on your phone is the same as skipping a class. Your attentive presence is one of the top factors in determining your grade in the class, because it affects not only your teacher’s opinion of you, but also the amount of info you learn. Take notes, even if you think you’ll remember (you won’t). Make a friend in the class with whom you can study and share notes.
2. That being said, your health is more important than schooling. If you truly, truly feel that you are too physically ill to go to class, email your professor ahead of time and let them know. If you have anxiety or depression or any other metal health problem that puts up barriers to going to class, try your hardest to go anyway. If not, many professors are very understanding. I had a professor who called me after I missed a week of class because she knew I had anxiety, and wanted to make sure I was okay. She let me make up the in class points with extra credit work, and helped to remind me when class was scheduled, and worked with me to have me get to class as much as possible. Schools also offer something like Disability Access Services. If you have a doctor’s diagnosis of any condition, you are entitled to reasonable services that will help you. These can run from physical accommodations to having notes written for you to having a quieter and less stressful testing room to much much more. Most professors want you to learn, and they will do what they can to help you if you are willing to work with them.
3. Learn/choose/make a study system that works for you. And stock to it. Allowing yourself a day off every once in a while is okay, but allowing yourself most days off is not. If you were very successful in high school and you breezed though classes, it’s not likely that you can still do that in college. So organize yourself and learn the best way that you learn. If you need extra resources, email your professor or ask them during office hours, and they can refer you to books, YouTube videos, and other vey helpful resources to help you learn as best as possible. Just remember, as fun as college can be, you came there to learn. So be sure that your learning does not get squished underneath fun.
4. Know your professors. Have them know you. If you are in a small class, raise your hand and be involved. Trust me: they’ll remember you. If you are in a large lecture class, introduce yourself in the first week with your name, a handshake, and a question. It can be something relating to the material, or to the syllabus, or simply a question of how you can best succeed in the class. You can also ask if you should procure the textbook, because many professors seem to require it, but only about thrice a term. The best option there would be to use the copy in the library instead. That being said, make sure you don’t ask a question that is already been covered. Read the syllabus before you open your mouth. Listen in class to their policies. Also, learn and write down their office hours. Professors expect you to stop by during these times that they are mandatorily in their office. That might be the best place to introduce yourself, because it is quieter and more personal. If your professor already knows your name, they are more likely to grade looser and allow you to turn in homework a day late. They are more willing to forgive mistakes like forgetting to turn in an essay, or to accommodate your needs.
5. Do. Your. Work. This is almost as important as going to class. Just do it. Even the little homework that is worth one percent of your grade. You might need that precent. You probably will. And it also helps you to review the concepts in class. It makes you look responsible to your prof. Even if you hate the class, think it’s too easy, don’t feel like it, or any other excuse, too bad. Do it.
6. On that note, if you have a semester-long project, get it done by midterms (if possible). Having at least a first draft will lessen your stress load at the end of the term. You can bring it to office hours weeks before it is due and get an opinion on it, and have a much better time than your procrastinating classmates.
7. Try not to procrastinate. I understand the hypocrisy of my statement, because I procrastinate with the best of them, but try your hardest. If you start college with the expectation and commitment to not procrastinate, you can make it a habit. Wasting time on the Internet is much better when you can feel confident that you aren’t avoiding something. Procrastination habits can be really hard to kick, but ask your friends, teachers, advisors, and academic success coaches for advice and you can do it. Your level of stress decreases greatly, and your grades increase. It’s worth it.
8. Take a break. When you study, take a 5 minute break every half hour or so to stretch your legs, drink some water, or grab a quick snack. Do not use your break to stay on the computer. Your eyes need to focus on something else. After about two hours of this, take a fifteen/twenty minute break to leave the room. Talk to a friend. Grab a meal. Go for a short run. Look at the clouds. Then go back, rinse, and repeat.
If you are not marathon studying for a test/writing a long essay, do up to an hour of work before you take a break. Generally, homework assignments should be either done, or half done, so take five minutes and jump back in. Try not to leave everything to Sunday night, because you will end up having to do homework all day Sunday. Splitting it up every night will let you have a longer weekend. It’s worth it to do homework during the week, because you will not have as many things that you could be doing instead.
9. Know your schedule. I started keeping a bullet journal to remind me of all the deadlines and assignments I needed to do. By using this, I could schedule out my day and plan the time that I was going to take to study that day. I also stopped forgetting to do little homework assignments.
But also know your long term schedule. Talk to your advisor to see when you can feasibly graduate. Don’t feel obliged to do four years just because you think you must. Many engineers take five. Also, don’t feel stuck to graduate in the spring. If you finish in the fall, graduate in the fall. You can usually walk across the stage with your friends in the spring, but you won’t have to pay for the unnecessary semester.
Make sure you apply for the right classes at the right time. Even if it is not mandatory, talk to your advisor before you plan out next term’s schedule. They will make sure you are on track, but not overloading yourself.
10. Take a fun class. I took physics, biochem, calculus, and organic chemistry all in one term. It was awful. The next term, I took he same amount of credits, but switched biochem for a women, gender, and sexuality studies class. The class itself was more work than the biochem one, but having that mental change from heavy science and math to a philosophical concept class left me with a much better semester. You can usually find some really interesting classes tucked away in the catalog, so go take one. Why take a standard American Literature class when you could take the Etymology of Gary Larsen’s Farside Comics class and fulfill the same requirements? Or, why take a standard intro to physics class if astronomy will serve just as well? Take at least one phy ed class, because they are much better than the mandatory ones in high/middle school. Take yoga, or rock climbing, or power walking. Have fun with your education. Part of college is taking classes you couldn’t have before and learning a whole bunch of esoteric knowledge that may only serve to impress your friends while watching jeopardy, but it’s also fascinating.

Packing list:
Everyone:
- State-issued ID. School ID. Copy of any insurance. Keys. Contact info for doctors. Other necessary paperwork.
- Medications. Glasses/Contacts. Purse/wallet. Money.
- Anything you could not live without (hearing aids, inhaler, etc).
In the dorms:
Clothes
- All the underwear you own. Trust me. Also socks.
- Clothing that you wear normally. Colleges have no dress code, but don’t go overboard. Most people go through cycles of wearing cute clothes and then spending a week in leggings/sweatpants.
- Bring at least one “interview outfit:” dress pants/skirt, collared shirt/blouse, cardigan, nice shoes.
- For people who like such things, bring at least one or two dresses. I never wore them during high school, but I love wearing them in college. Also, you’d be surprised how often then come in handy, from frat parties to ballroom dances to one nice dinner.
- Make sure to check the weather patterns of the place you will be living. Bring a rain jacket or a winter coat. Or both. Bring sunscreen. Bring appropriate shoes for the weather.
- Bring one weird outfit. I brought footie pajamas and we ended up having a pajama party and midnight breakfast.
- Don’t bring your entire closet. It won’t fit and you’ll hate having to move it. Many people go home for thanksgiving or winter break, and you can bring more clothes then.
- If you live in a dorm where you share a shower, bring waterproof shoes like flip flops to protect your feet. And a robe. It’s no fun to forget your clothes and go running nude down a hallway.
- If you like to do a sport or outdoorsy things, bring the gear if you have space. Clubs and intramural teams are lots of fun, and many colleges have a tripping/outdoorsy club that you can go on trips with.
- Learn your dorm’s laundry policy. If it’s free, you are lucky. Do all the laundry in the world. Split between darks and lights, but don’t go overboard. Bring detergent, but don’t waste your money on dryer sheets or softeners unless you feel you must. Also, WASH YOUR SHEETS. Please. If it’s not free, or you have limited amounts, make the biggest loads possible. Or share with a friend.

Bed
- Bring two sets of sheets. Most dorms are twin extra long, but you can use a normal twin top sheet to save money. Unless you want to be laughed at or are very confident, don’t bring those doctor who or Star Wars sheets. A nice plain color like blue or green is great.
-Bring a comforter and a blanket, because sometimes it’s necessary to hide under them for a while and invite the world. Make sure that your blanket isn’t your homemade quilt from your dead grandmother, because it will get spilled on. Save that for when you have your own room that is separate from the place you entertain and the place you eat.
- Two pillows are great. Make sure you have pillow covers, because of spills.
- Those weird pillows with the arms are heavenly. Perfect to lean against and do homework.
- If you will do homework on your bed and not on your desk, bring something large and flat to do it on. A board works just as well as one of the plastic ones you can buy. I like using a large cutting board, because I can use it for two different things.

Bath
- Two towels. Just like the sheets, you’ll want to switch them out while you’re washing the other. Also at least one handtowel for spills and such.
- A shower caddy for your hygiene needs. Make sure it has holes in the bottom, because otherwise water and mold will collect in the bottom and no one wants that.
- Bathroom necessities like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes (you need to replace them please people) and deodorant. No one wants to be near a smelly person. Please shower at the very least every other day.
- For people who shave, make sure you replace your shaving implement when necessary. Hygiene does not wait for the wallet and dorms can give you some pretty nasty stuff.
- Depending on the dorm, you can either store things in cubbies in the bathroom, or you have to haul them around every time. Try to find this out so you can plan accordingly.

Desk
- All your chargers. All of them. You will lose at least one.
- Power strips. Try to get ones that can protect against a surge so you don’t fry your computer. I brought two and they were so handy. But look at your dorm regulations and the warnings on the strips before you short out the entire dorm
- On that note, let’s talk electronics. I found my computer to be very very handy. For anyone who will be an engineer, it’s practically mandatory. On the other hand, many dorms have at least one computer you can use, and the library will have several. Big colleges might also have laptops you can check out for the year. A phone is also very nice, for obvious reasons. Most big campuses have wifi across the campus (although it’s usually notoriously unreliable at that one minute you need it) so using something like an iPod touch or another form of wifi-but-not-cellular device usually works well. Many people like taking notes on a tablet with a stylus, but that can get expensive. Something that plays music is fantastic.
- Folders, binders, and notebooks are still necessary. Make sure you carry a notebook at all times, because you never know when a pop quiz will come and you have to turn in a sheet of paper.
- Bring #2 pencils for Scantron tests, and pens if you want. At least one highlighter is great, and you’ll want a Sharpie at some point in time.
- Having a stapler will save you, and you’ll probably want a few paper clips and clamps.
- Printers can be tricky. If you get free printing, don’t do it. If you have to slid across a large campus to get it, perhaps. I brought a printer, and I used it (and the scanner) say more often than I thought I would. I even let my friends use it, on condition that they would pitch in for replacement ink and paper. If you do get one, the wifi system might not work, so make sure it comes with a connecting cord as an option. If you have a choice, go for printing speed over quality. You’ll thank me when you anxiously wait for that paper to print so you can get to class on time.
- Rulers are helpful, and bring all the calculators you used in high school. Many classes have different requirements for calculators, and you’ll kick yourself if you have to buy a new one because your old one is at home.
- A desk lamp is extremely necessary. Dorm rooms are not well lit, and you will be needing the light.
- Having a backpack or other bag to hold all your stuff is nice for treks across a rainy campus, as is a pencil case.
- Bring some form of planner/scheduler. Even if it is an app on your phone. I promise you, you won’t remember assignments and it will come back to bite you.

Room
- You’ll want to discuss these with your roommate if you can.
- A rug is wonderful for early morning cold feet and for entertaining friends. Remember that your space is very limited, and that you’ll probably sit on the floor a lot. Having a rug will make your room feel more cosy, anyway.
- Dorms should provide a bed frame, a closet, a desk/chair, and a dresser set. Check online to see what you are produced with.
- An extra chair per room is great for friends and relaxing, but a bug armchair or couch is probably too big.
- If you want to, bring a TV, but many dorms have tvs on each floor.
- Bring wall decorations. Seriously. Even if you tape up some free paint samples. Your room will feel much more comfortable. If you can, bring a few photos of home. You’ll probably reference your family/friends, and it’s nice to have photos regardless.
- On that note, check your dorms policy for hanging things up. Blue painters tape is usually allowed, or the 3M hooks.
- I liked having a calendar on the wall to help me keep track of what month it was and long term things like midterms. Also birthdays.
- I also really used my dry erase board to write out a schedule. I actually brought two, a small one for schedule and messages, and a large one that was such a help for studying. People also bring bulletin boards (corkboards).
- Plastic drawers for storage. For food, clothes, school work, art stuff, etc.

Food
- You will eat at least some, if not most, of your meals in dining halls, but many dorms have small kitchens in them.
- Microfridge/something similar. If you and your roommate decide that you will use it enough to be worth it.
- At least a pair of cups, plates, bowls, and flatware. It’s easier to start with plastic ones, because you can use them later in life as outdoor dishes and you don’t want broken shards all over the floor.
- Mixing bowl and large spoon. You can usually borrow other cooking pots/pans from the RAs, but you’ll want the bowl for random quick meals.
- Cups and tsp/tbsp measures.
- Mug and travel mug. If you like coffee or tea or hot chocolate than this is a must. You can also make incredible microwave things in a ceramic mug, like brownies, quiche, etc. just google it. (I’ll probably get around to making a references list for that at some point)
- Dish soap and towel. You’ll probably have to wash your dishes in the bathroom.
- Sponge/other cleaning things. You’ll need them. Paper towels are handy too.

Other
- Bike/skateboard/roller blades/scooters. I have a bike and a longboard, and they are essential to my day. If you live far from classes, or have a tendency to run a little late, the wheels help you get there on time. There is a small geek factor in roller blades and scooters, but to each their own.
- Safety gear and locks for the transportation. Check out the campus safety for bikes, because those are vulnerable to theft. I would suggest a U lock and a flexible coiled lock for overnight, and then just one for during class. Some people take off their seat every evening and bring that to their room. If you are in a rainy place, bring a plastic bag with you so you can cover your seat and avoid a wet butt.
- Safety things for you. Check your campus regulations, but an alarm whistle/pepper spray might be needed. Also, if you will need them, there are drink testers that can tell you if your drink has been tampered with.
- First Aid Kit. I don’t care if the RA has one or how close student health is. Bring a first aid kit with ibuprofen, band aids, triple antibiotic (neosporin), CPR mask if applicable, athletic tape and gauze.
- If allowed, a back or shoulder warmer is wonderful. Anyone with back pain will love it, and it decreases stress. Also, for those who menstruate, it can do wonders for cramps.
- A frisbee/slack line/etc can be a lot of fun and a way to meet new people on campus.
- Bring a deck of cards and perhaps other card/board games. You’d be surprised by the amount of people who like games.

Out of Dorms:
- Everything listed above. And depending on the furnishings of the place, some things listed below.

Furniture
- Bed. This can be anything from a fancy bed frame with double mattresses to a single mattress on the floor.
- Bedside table. Can also be the top of a dresser.
- Lamp/other light source
- Desk/chair
- Comfy chair/couch
- Living room table
- TV stand/TV
- Lamp/light source
- Kitchen table/chairs

Food
- You’ll want to have a supply of basic staples, and then a revolving door of food. I tend to take Sunday evening and make a large amount of storeable food (lasagna, enchiladas, baked mac n cheese, etc) and freeze it, so I have leftovers for lunches. I then will make on a free night a moderate amount of a less storeable/transportable meal (beef stew, meats like pork tenderloin, tacos) for variety and eat that for dinners.
Staples:
- Flour. Wheat and or white. If you want to be healthy, many things can use a mixture and still taste great.
- Bisquik. Add some sugar and its pancake mix. Add some liquids and its biscuits. Add flour and water and it’s quickbread/pizza dough
- Rice
- Pasta
- Butter
- Cheeses. I’m from WI originally, so I tend to have a selection. The basic one is cheddar, or Colby-jack for a milder taste. Also mozzarella is convenient.
- Peanut Butter/soy nut butter/sunbutter/what have you
- Oatmeal
- Sugar. Brown, white, and powdered.
- Tea
- Hot chocolate
- Summer sausage
- Spices
Necessaries:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Yoghurt
- Pizza Sauce (cheaters way, but so easy to use)
- Canned goods. Beans, salsa, enchilada sauce, tomatoes, soups soups soups
- Chicken soup stock
- Frozen veggies/fruits
- Tortillas
- Frozen pizza
- Cereals
Cycled:
- Meats
- Fresh fruit/veggies
- Ice cream
- Juices
- Lunch meats
- Bread
- Desserts
Obviously this is a summary, but anything that will hold for a long time and can be used in many meals is a staple. Anything that’ll last for a little while and is used often is a necessary. Anything that won’t last very long or is not very necessary is cycled.

A College Student’s Guide to Dealing With Anxiety About Due Dates, Schedules, and Other Things

Ok, so, you’ve got anxiety about that due date? Don’t think you’ll be able to finish the semester? Anxious that something will go wrong this semester? Well, as a college student who thinks too much about the future and has been in school for 10 years, let me tell you how I fight my anxiety.

1. I do things early. I give myself about 3-4 days extra to budge around when writing papers and studying. It really works. I write my papers in sections for a few days so I have free time and it’s not weighing on my mind. Whenever I think about my paper, a rush of relief comes over me because I have already started it.

2. I plan my routes. I plan my walking route from building to building. I make sure I double check to make sure I know where that building my class is in is.

3. Double Check. For example, make sure you double check classroom numbers and building locations on the first day of class. Have it written on your hand. Have it on your cell phone. Double check everything before you turn it in. Triple check that shiz, even. Papers need to be triple checked also.

4. Back things up. Back up everything. For example, have a hard copy backup of your room numbers and your schedule just in case your phone battery goes out on the way there.

Junkrat does all the Christmas shopping. Malls are unpleasant at the best of times for Satya but malls at Christmas are nothing short of nightmarish; she does as much Christmas shopping as she can much earlier in the year, but there’s always a gift here or a present there that wasn’t accounted for, or perishable items like food or chocolates (or the galleons of eggnong that Junkrat drinks) that need to be bought.

Junkrat however has no issues with crowded, noisy places, far from it (though the longer he’s in there the more likely he is to start shoving and yelling at people, but that’s part of the festive spirit as far as he’s concerned) So, he always diligently takes the lists Satya gives him and trots off to find whatever he can. It’s a pretty normal sight to see him wandering around the stores with his ear glued to his phone as Satya helps him shop from the quiet sanctity of their apartment.